This guide will tell you everything you need to know about moving to Sussex County Beach Living. Also perfect for those that call Sussex County Beach area their home…I know you will learn something new!

Sussex County Beach Living is home to fabulous beaches, beautiful state parks, rich in history, amazing restaurants, shopping and many outdoor activities and fun events for the entire family. Making your home here allows you to be within an hour of Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, historical Lewes and Milton and so much more!  There are the breathtaking parks of Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore State Parks where you can enjoy the natural beauty and fun water activities. The beach towns are full of local eateries, pubs, boutiques and games and rides at the Rehoboth Boardwalk.

Sussex County Delaware Beaches  Population

With an estimated population of 60,000, it is comprised of small beach towns of Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Millsboro Georgetown, Milford, Lincoln and Ellendale.  During the summer months Delaware Beaches will see an average of 10 million people visiting the beautiful beaches! People from all over the country come to visit our beautiful county.

Sussex County Delaware Beaches Demographics

Sussex County continues to grow each year.  The county boasts a homeownership rate of 80 percent, compared to 71 percent statewide and far above the national rate of 64.6 percent, according to the U.S. Census bureau. Baby boomers, defined as Americans born between 1946 and 1964, make up only 25.6 percent of the state’s population, but they are far more likely than other age groups to buy property. Boomers own 45.2 percent of the First State’s residential real estate, the fifth-highest rate in the nation.  With low property taxes, high quality of life and a relaxed vibe, Sussex County is booming as a retirement destination. Between 2010 and 2019, the county’s population ballooned 19 percent, according to the U.S. Census. That’s largely due to the influx of retirees, with 29 percent of Sussex residents age 65 or older. To care for an aging population, Beebe Healthcare has updated its flagship hospital in Lewes and added a new freestanding emergency department at the South Coastal Health Campus near Millville. A new $48 million comprehensive care center on the South Coastal campus provides medical, radiation oncology and hematology services. Beebe continues its expansion with a $124 million surgical hospital on Route 24 in Rehoboth with a target opening in 2022.

Sussex County Beaches Geography

Sussex County Beaches: The Delaware Beaches are located along the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern part of Sussex County Delaware, which is in the southern part of the state.  There are many bodies of waters including the Delaware Bay, Broadkill River, Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, Assawoman Bay and others.

Sussex County Delaware Beaches Outdoor Activities

There are many fun outdoor activities to enjoy throughout the year in Sussex County Delaware Beaches.  There are the beautiful Parks right at the ocean where you can enjoy swimming, parasailing, jet skiing, surf fishing and other activities.  Some of the Parks are Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Broadkill Beach, Fenwick Island Beach, and others.  You can hike and bike on the Junction and Breakwater Trail and at Cape Henlopen park.  You can enjoy water tours with Cape Water Tours and Taxi where you may see dolphin and the lighthouses in the Delaware Bay or the Sand Dollar Tours that explores the Rehoboth Bay .  If you like fishing you can book a fishing charter to fish for flounder, sea bass, stripers with places like First Light Charters in Lewes.  For the more adventurous you can go jet skiing or parasailing from places like Dewey Parasail.  Or, if you want to learn surfing there is the Rehoboth Surf Boarding School.  There are many craft and art shows, live music concerts, antique shows,  that you can find on a weekly basis in Sussex County Beach Living under the Events. 

Sussex County Delaware Beaches Weather

With an average of 204 days of sunshine, beautiful sandy beaches, hiking and biking trails, and many outdoor activities, it is hard to deny that people like to get outdoors here all year round. The Delaware Beaches experiences humid subtropical climate conditions. Summers tend to be humid and can get hot with average temperatures of 85 in July and August. The spring and fall months average in the 60’s and 70’s and winter months average in the 40’s with January usually the coldest month with an average temperature of 36 degrees F.   

Sussex County Delaware – 10 Best Beaches!

 Best Delaware Beach #1 : Broadkill Beach

Broadkill Beach is a highly popular beach destination even though it is a quiet, less crowded beach. It is situated directly north of Lewes Beach and Beach Plum Island State Park. It is on the Delaware Bay so the waves are more gentle and a perfect place to vacation for families with small children. Vacation homes are available for weekly, monthly, and long-term rentals during the tourist season of spring, summer, and fall. The beach area became more famous during a replenishment project in 2016 which saw an addition of a large dune. There are homes right on the bay where beachside activities can be enjoyed such as swimming, surf fishing, and stand-up paddle-boarding. Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge borders west of the beach and offers wildlife lovers the chance to explore the many birds, fox, deer, etc. If you rent a home on the canal you have access to the Broadkill River where you can kayak and canoe.

Best Delaware Beach #2 : Beach Plum Island State Park

Beach Plum Island  State Park is a natural preserve north of the Roosevelt Inlet in Lewes that’s one of the best-kept secrets in the area. This quiet beach in Delaware is a hidden gem along the bay where you’ll find a serene summer spot. There are natural dunes and sea grass surrounding a trail that leads you to the undisturbed beach. You can walk along the sandy bayside beach and enjoy the shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. Many times during the year you and the wildlife may be the only ones around. This is a popular place for avid fisherman that drive their trucks and fishing equipment right onto the beach for great surf fishing. There’s even an enormous shipwreck that’s washed up along the shore!

Best Delaware Beach #3 : Lewes Beach  

 

   

Lewes is quickly establishing itself as Delaware’s main Cape Region. The town is known as ‘The First Town in the First State’. Highly popular, Lewes is a prominent vacation spot in the state and is regarded as a beach resort. The historic town is filled with quaint restaurants, shops, historical sites, and public parks. This is great for sea viewing and watching hundreds of boats dock here during the summer season time. Swimming and paddling around the area are great and so is the opportunity to spot one of the many recognizable lighthouses – Delaware Breakwater East End Light and Harbor of Refuge Light. The Lewes Historical Society offers many activities to learn about the history of the town, and you can always stop by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce to learn about current events going on!

Best Delaware Beach #4: Cape Henlopen State Park

Located on Cape Henlopen, the State Park Beach first opened in the 1960’s and has become a delightful place to visit. The natural beauty of the beaches remains untouched and appeals to many that seek the peaceful allure of days gone by. The State Park has a fishing pier and campground which is open throughout the year, as well as, the beach at Cape Henlopen. Lifeguards work at the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A bathhouse with shower facility, changing room, and snack bar is available by the beach. There are other activities and facilities around such as a playground, basketball court and golf course. There are four trails where you can bike or hike and explore all the park has to offer. The Seaside Nature Centre has several marine aquariums and exhibits that showcase the natural history of the park.

Best Delaware Beach #5 : Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach is known as “The Nation’s Summer Capital” because thousands of tourists travel from all over the United States to visit. The boardwalk stretches a mile and offers some of the best restaurants, shopping and outdoor events and fun activities throughout the year. During the summer months, the bandstand near the boardwalk hosts continuous open-air music and entertainment events which are free to the public. The Funland amusement park is a great place for young families and is located along the boardwalk between Delaware and Brooklyn avenues. Rehoboth Beach is also known as one of the mid-Atlantic coast’s popular LGBT friendly getaways because of the large number of LGBT-owned and operated businesses.  Rehoboth Beach hosts popular festivals which include the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, the Sea Witch Festival, and the Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival. If you are looking for a beach that offers many activities and things to do, Rehoboth Beach is the place to visit!

Best Delaware Beach #6 : Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach is directly south of Rehoboth Beach and has a reputation for the party goers, especially in the summer months. Dewey is also popular for families particularly because of its wide, sandy beaches, and many beach home rentals and hotels. Anyone interested in a fun, relaxing family getaway this is the place to go. It is a great place to enjoy the adventurous water sports like: jet skiing, parasailing, wake boarding, water skiing, and windsurfing! Many events are hosted here such as the Dewey Beach Music Conference which is held the last weekend in September. Other memorable events that take place in the area are the Greyhounds Reach, where many rescued greyhounds and their owners meet at the beach and also the annual East Coast Skim-Boarding Championships.

Best Delaware Beach #7 : Delaware Seashore State Park

Delaware Seashore State Park is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to its east and the Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay on the west and is one of the state’s most popular places to visit! The State Park was established in 1965 and has a six-mile-long coastline. It has stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Rehoboth and Indian River Bays on the other side. The Park has campgrounds on the north and south side of the Inlet. It also has a full service marina offering charter boat experiences and excellent fishing opportunities. There are concessions stands, as well as, changing rooms, showers, restrooms and places to rent chairs, rafts, and umbrellas. There are two picnic pavilions in the park and a nature trail where you can experience amazing views of the bay islands and salt marshes. The Indian River Life-Saving Station, which was built in 1876 to help ship wrecked mariners, now serves as the parks visitor center and offers tours and year round programs.

Best Delaware Beach #8: Bethany Beach   

           

Bethany Beach holds a special place in people’s heart because it is known as the “Quiet Resort” which is perfect for families spending time together! Families from all over the country enjoy a beach home rental spending quality time together at the peaceful and beautiful beaches.  The public beaches are free to the public and are all guarded seasonally by professional lifeguards known as the Bethany Beach Patrol. Despite its size, the beach features a lot of public amenities such as great restaurants, shops, motels, and a short boardwalk. After a day at the beach you can take the family to play miniature golf, visit the Bethany Beach Nature Center, go for a bike ride, or stop at a surf shop!

Best Delaware Beach #9: South Bethany  

                 

One of the best-kept secrets of Delaware is South Bethany Beach. It is a quaint, coastal beach where memories are made over long summer vacations. As soon as you settle into your beach home rental with your family and friends, you can feel your cares melt away. It is quiet and peaceful where you can spend time walking on the beach hearing the waves crashing onto the shore, and tasting the salty air. This atmosphere contrasts the busier towns of Rehoboth and Dewey Beach. If you like the slower pace where you can spend time relaxing at the beach or fishing on the bay, this is the place for you!

Best Delaware Beach #10 : Fenwick Island   

                                                 

Fenwick is a popular coastal town located on the Fenwick Island. Along with Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach, they are termed as “The Quiet Resorts”. Fenwick Island State Park borders the Atlantic Ocean and Little Assawoman Bay and is known for its beautiful natural landscape. The beach at the ocean is open to swimming, surfing, and surf fishing. It is monitored by lifeguards from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. A modern bathhouse is equipped with showers, changing rooms, a gift shop and food concession. The Fenwick Island Lighthouse, which was built in 1858, stands tall among the surrounding beach homes. You can access the base where you will discover a small museum, but it is not open for climbing. There are quite a few restaurants and shops for you to appreciate in this tranquil beach town.

Sussex County Delaware Beaches Neighborhoods

Bethany Beach Neighborhood| Welcome to Bethany Beach area! The towns in this area are Frankford, Dagsboro, Ocean View and Millville.  It is an area beloved by families summer after summer, as a place to relax and enjoy fun-loving diversions. As soon as you settle into your beach house or hotel, your worries and cares melt away. The Bethany Beach area is the perfect place for extended family gatherings, who find joy with the simple pleasures of sunning and playing on the beach. You can fill your days with sitting on the decks with the warm summer breezes, or shop tax fee at the shops on the Boardwalk or the neighboring towns. 

Dewey Beach | Welcome to Dewey Beach area! The towns around Dewey Beach are Georgetown and Millsboro.  It is a spectacular sandbar community with the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the Rehoboth Bay on the other side. It is known for its wide, sandy beaches, and many hotels, cottages and condominiums. It has become a popular place for anyone interested in a fun, relaxing family getaway. It is a great place to enjoy the adventurous water sports like: jet skiing, parasailing, wake boarding, water skiing, and windsurfing! You will have fun in the sun during the day, maybe catching a game of volleyball on the beach! The Dewey Beach nights offer fun events for the partygoers and young at heart! There are numerous bars and restaurants that line the Coastal Highway, the town’s main street.

 Rehoboth Beach | Welcome to Rehoboth Beach area!  The towns close by to Rehoboth Beach are Georgetown, Harbeson and Nassau.  Come enjoy an old fashioned beach vacation where you can enjoy the boardwalk with shops, restaurants, Funland for the kids, and the Bandstand for free concerts! Rehoboth is the largest beach resort in the State of Delaware. It hosts visitors from all over the country, and the world. With many events and activities now scheduled throughout the year, Rehoboth Beach is now known as a year round vacation destination for business and pleasure.

Lewes | Lewes is known as the first town in the first state! Some of the areas close to Lewes are Georgetown and Milton.  Since Lewes was first settled by the Dutch in 1631, the townspeople have taken great pride in their historic and seafaring heritage and enjoy sharing this with visitors. This historic town can be found between the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, right next to Cape Henlopen State Park. Lewes offers the bay and ocean beaches for swimming , boating and fishing. Cape Henlopen Park offers beautiful, natural beaches where there are many nature trails you can hike and bike. This central location has made Lewes an attractive tourist destination, weekend get-away, and a home base for those commuting to their jobs in larger cities.  

Milton | Milton surrounding towns are Lincoln and Ellendale.  Milton is at the head of the Broadkill River, which enters into the Delaware Bay.  It is rich in history and has many of the finest Victorian and and colonial architecture in Delaware.  Many of the homes have been restored to their original design especially on Union and Federal Streets.  The Broadkill Beach and Prime hook beach areas attract many tourists because of their peaceful and natural beaches. They are located right on the Delaware Bay so the waves are more calm, perfect for young families.  Prime Hook Wildlife National Refuge is also situated in Milton where the natural marshes and canals are home to amazing wildlife. Boating activity on the Broadkill River is active with fishing and recreations throughout the summer months!

Sussex County Real Estate Market Report

The real estate market in Sussex County, DE saw amazing growth from January 2021 through June of 2021.  The total number of units listed were 4,340 and the total number of units sold were 3483.  The average price sold was $448,900. Overall, we have seen a lower inventory of homes than we did in 2020. It has been a strong Seller’s Market the first half of 2021 with many buyers and fewer homes for sale. There are many buyers because the interest rates are still at an all time low.

No matter the area, price point, or style you are looking for we can help you find it somewhere in the Sussex County Delaware area. If you would like to start receiving a current list of homes in the towns closest to your favorite beaches, you can contact me at the form at the bottom of the page.  I would also be glad to create a free “Comparative Market Analysis” of your home to help you discover what your home is currently worth. This gives you a detailed report of what your home is worth by taking into account any improvements or renovations you have made. It also compares what similar homes have sold for in your neighborhood recently. I would be glad to help you find your dream home at the Delaware Beaches!